After Flirting with the Wrong Stand-in, I Overturned (GL) - Chapter 6

Ren Xuan pulled out the note pinned under the glass. The girl’s appearance was delicate and beautiful, but her handwriting was firm enough to penetrate the paper—simple and elegant.

The note was brief, containing only six words: “Ren Xuan, thank you. —Lin Shuyan.”

No mention of where she went, no formal farewell. It was unclear if she had left of her own volition or if a phone call had summoned her back.

Watching the female lead slip away right from under her nose was a bit of a pity. However, Ren Xuan didn’t dwell on it. She packed her things and prepared to return to Yecheng. The business in Tong City was settled; it was time to return to that completely unfamiliar home. As for Lin Shuyan, she was also from Yecheng; Ren Xuan believed they would meet again.

“So you finally decided to come back?”

In a shabby, old residential complex in Yecheng, Zhao Meili glared at the person before her. When Zhang Ming called her last night, she knew this little wench had stirred up trouble again. After hanging up, she had searched Tong City for half the night without finding her, so she could only come here early this morning to intercept her.

The monk can run, but the temple remains; she knew she’d eventually catch her at home.

“This is my home,” Lin Shuyan looked back at Zhao Meili with cold detachment.

Lin Shuyan had always known what kind of person Zhao Meili was. She had followed her for nearly four years, and for the first year or two, she had tried to convince herself to “seize opportunities.”

Opportunities? The “opportunities” Zhao Meili spoke of meant accompanying investors or bosses.

Lin Shuyan had refused the first time. Though Zhao Meili never gave up her wicked designs in the years that followed, she couldn’t overcome Lin Shuyan’s stubborn stance. This past year, Zhao Meili hadn’t mentioned similar things, and Lin Shuyan thought she had finally let it go. She never expected this woman would do something so despicable as to drug her directly.

“Do you have any idea who Director Zhang is? He’s a famous director in the industry! If you offend him, what kind of good fruit do you think is left for us to eat?” Zhao Meili’s tone was nasty as she grabbed Lin Shuyan’s arm to pull her away. “Come back with me now to apologize to Director Zhang. If your attitude is sincere enough, he won’t hold it against you, and in the future…”

“I’m not going,” Lin Shuyan shoved the woman away in disgust.

“It’s not up to you!” Zhao Meili flew into a rage. “Lin Shuyan, don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. You think just because your contract expires in a month, your wings have grown strong enough to ignore me? Even if the contract ends, I’d like to see which company would dare sign you!”

“Aside from a bit of looks, what do you have?” Zhao Meili’s eyes were full of contempt. “Stiff, dull, socially inept—do you think you’re still eighteen? The industry is full of people; if you won’t do it, someone else will!”

“Don’t drag me down before you get kicked out!”

“Don’t you know yet?” Lin Shuyan waited patiently for her to finish before speaking. Her heart remained unmoved; Zhao Meili had said far nastier things than this. The fact that she didn’t even have the energy for a longer rant suggested she was truly worried about offending Zhang Ming.

“Know what?”

“His wife arrived.”

“Who?” Zhao Meili didn’t react at first.

“Zhang Ming’s wife.”

“How is that possible?” Zhao Meili was shocked. Scandals like this were common in the circle, but Zhang Ming’s wife, Sun Lan, was famously fierce. It was precisely because Sun Lan kept him on such a tight leash that Zhao Meili wanted to use her leverage on Zhang Ming. How could he have been so careless?

One was in Yecheng, the other in Tong City—how could it be such a coincidence? Zhao Meili scrutinized Lin Shuyan with a suspicious gaze, then barked, “Does this have to do with you? Did you do it?”

“Guess,” Lin Shuyan countered flatly.

Probably not, Zhao Meili thought after reflecting on it. She had never leaked a word about choosing Zhang Ming. Furthermore, she didn’t believe Lin Shuyan had the power to summon a woman like Sun Lan.

She could only chalk it up to bad luck—failing to get the meat and ending up covered in grease instead.

“Why is it always bad luck when it comes to you?” Zhao Meili cursed a few more times. “Stay home these next few days. Don’t go out and cause trouble. I’ll notify you if there’s anything.”

“What about that advertisement you said you got for me?” Lin Shuyan asked.

“Advertisement?” Zhao Meili, perched on her sky-high heels, snapped back, “You did nothing and you still want resources from me? Do you think my resources come for free?”

“Just stay put.” Zhao Meili left in a hurry, fuming with rage.

Lin Shuyan watched her go calmly. The woman had suddenly mentioned an ad resource a few days ago; though Lin Shuyan had doubts, she had suppressed them. It turns out it was all a setup for yesterday.

Unfortunately for the manager, her plan failed. As for herself, Lin Shuyan knew all too well that the woman wouldn’t let her off that easily.

She walked into her cramped, old apartment.

The heavy iron door groaned loudly as she pushed it open. Inside, the space was so narrow only one person could pass at a time. She went to the bathroom—a space of less than two square meters packed to the brim. When she instinctively reached for the water heater valve, she remembered it was broken. Exhausted, she turned on the tap and splashed her face with cold water.

Exiting the bathroom and walking through the narrow corridor, she reached the bedroom. Her 1.2-meter bed was partially covered with piles of daily necessities. In a city like Yecheng where land is gold, even a room like this cost her a fortune.

Leaving the entertainment industry… Lin Shuyan covered her face weakly, slowly burying herself in the sheets. Entering this circle had been an accident; where would she go after leaving?

Ren Xuan’s face and gentle smile gradually drifted into her mind. She was so noble, kind, and beautiful. Lin Shuyan quietly surveyed her tiny bedroom. A person like herself felt as though she were defiling Ren Xuan just by speaking to her.

By leaving without saying goodbye, had she left a very impolite impression on Miss Ren? Or perhaps not—Miss Ren probably wouldn’t even remember someone so insignificant, and she herself would likely never encounter someone as wonderful as Miss Ren again.

A black Bugatti Veyron slowed to a stop at the Ren family’s old estate. A young woman stepped out. The butler, Wang Tao, came forward to meet her. “Eldest Miss, you’re back.”

“Uncle Wang, is everything well at home?” Ren Xuan took off her sunglasses and handed him her bag, acting with a familiarity that suggested she had lived here for years. In Wang Tao’s eyes, she was simply his Eldest Miss.

“Everything is fine.” Wang Tao reported on the three days she was away. “The Little Miss went on a school trip to the neighboring city this weekend. she won’t be back until tomorrow night.”

“Mhm.” Ren Xuan nodded, then added with concern, “Give Ren Ke a call and tell her not to wander off.”

“Rest assured, Eldest Miss. I already spoke with her yesterday, and the teachers will keep a close watch.”

“Good.” Ren Xuan knew that for such outings, several teachers would be accompanying them. The primary school Ren Ke attended was under the Ren Group’s umbrella anyway, so there was little to worry about.

“You’ve just returned, Eldest Miss. Would you like to rest for a bit?”

“I’m going to the study first. I have things to do. Uncle Wang, don’t let anyone disturb me.”

“Understood.” As Ren Xuan was halfway up the stairs, she suddenly turned back. “Uncle Wang, find some time to prepare a guest room on the second floor.”

“Certainly. What will it be used for?”

“A resident.” Ren Xuan thought for a moment and added, “Try to make it close to my room.”

“Of course,” Wang Tao asked thoughtfully, “Are there any specific requirements for the decor?”

“Requirements?” Ren Xuan murmured to herself. She didn’t actually know what that person liked. “Decorate it in a minimalist style for now. Comfortable and convenient is fine.” If there were other ideas later, they could change it then. Wang Tao noted it all down silently.

Once in the study, Ren Xuan looked around. It suited her taste well enough. Some things weren’t quite right, but there was no rush to change them. She went straight to the desk, opened her laptop, and after a quick browse, picked out a name from her contacts.

After ringing for ten seconds, the other side picked up. The first sentence was: “Back so soon?”

“I’m back,” Ren Xuan said.

“I’ve heard the rumors,” Ning Yinman teased. “You did something quite big in Tong City.”

“It reached your ears that fast?” Ren Xuan knit her brows. There really were no secrets in the entertainment industry. She just wondered if the rumors had been linked to Lin Shuyan yet.

“Don’t underestimate me. The Ning family’s hallmark is timely information.”

Ning Yinman was one of “Ren Xuan’s” close friends, having grown up together as the youngest daughter of the Ning family. Ren Xuan called her because they were close, but also because the Ning family had significant holdings in the entertainment industry. She was well-informed and a convenient source of information.

“You have no idea,” Ning Yinman said with interest. “The news of the Great Miss Ren playing the ‘Living Bodhisattva’ spread like wildfire…”

Ren Xuan listened patiently as Ning Yinman colorfully described the events of yesterday as if she had been there herself.

“Ahem,” Ning Yinman cleared her throat after finishing her story. “Miss Ren, I’d like to interview you. What suddenly made you decide to start doing charity work?”

Such incidents happened constantly in the circle. Whether the victims were willing or not, Ning Yinman didn’t believe Ren Xuan would suddenly be struck by a wave of altruism and save someone for no reason. The idea of “Saving a damsel in distress” felt out of place on someone like Ren Xuan.

“Just a sudden thought,” Ren Xuan replied.

“Fine,” Ning Yinman couldn’t think of a better reason and assumed it was just a whim. She cut to the chase. “Ren Xuan, why did you call me?”

“I want you to help me look someone up.”

“Who?”

“Lin Shuyan.”

“Sounds like a girl’s name,” Ning Yinman noted silently. “Ren Xuan, why are you looking her up? Did she offend you?”

“No.”

“Wait, is this person the…” Ning Yinman suddenly realized and asked hurriedly.

“The girl from yesterday,” Ren Xuan answered directly.

“My dear Miss Ren,” Ning Yinman truly couldn’t grasp her friend’s mood anymore. “Was being a hero once not enough? Are you addicted to it?” Was she going to take responsibility for her until the end?

“Does your family have shares in Sheng Huang Entertainment?”

“Yeah.” Another non-sequitur that left Ning Yinman even more confused.

“I’ve found a good talent for you. How about signing her to your agency?”

Holy crap. Ning Yinman practically rolled off her bed. “Are you serious? If you keep this up, I’m going to think you’ve fallen for her.”

If she didn’t know that her friend’s “iron tree” hadn’t bloomed in years, this entire setup would look exactly like the prelude to keeping a mistress.

“You can interpret it that way,” Ren Xuan chuckled.